​2-28-21
Today’s devotion is based today on Matthew 10:29-30, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Today, I want you to give up all of your “fears” to God and have Him replace them with his love.  God is love, and the love of God will absolutely displace your fears—this is God’s Word, his promise, to you.
In dark times remember and trust in God’s love, His goodness in the past.  Let those memories and that knowledge comfort you when fear threatens to overtake you. We can be thankful that even when we can’t remember God’s words of comfort from the Bible, God continues to hear our cries!
Please pray with me the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen; thank you for all the ways in which you have answered my prayers and heard my cries for comfort and delivery in the past. Help me to remember your loving presence in my life when I am fearful. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen.

​2-27-21
Today’s devotion is based on today is based on Luke 17:5, “The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
Jesus answered their request. He increased their faith. If you are like me, there are times when you doubt the Word of God.  I want to encourage you to ask God to raise the bar of your faith and replace any doubts that may be swirling around in your mind. You are a person of faith, and your faith is in the God of all Creation—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Ask God to increase your faith. He will honor that request.
Please pray with me the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen; there are times when I doubt your Word. Please strengthen my faith through the work of the Holy Spirit.  Please help me to trust you more each day so that I will become a better reflection of you in my daily life. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen.

​2-26-21
Today’s devotion is based on Galatians 6:8-9, “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Today, I want to ask you, “How are you doing with the challenge to give up certain things during Lent and replace them with good stuff from heaven above? If you are struggling to implement these various improvements as I do, let me challenge you not to give up! You can do it with God’s help and strength. While none of us will succeed at completely changing, I can assure you that if you hang in there until the end of Lent, you will not only see a difference in yourself, but others will also see a transformation.
Please pray with me the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen; it is only through the work of the Holy Spirit that I can live a more Christ-like life. Forgive me for Jesus’ sake when I fail. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen.

​2-24-21
During Lent, I am going to share a daily thought with you about “something for you to give up that is spiritually unhealthy and to replace it with something that will be restoratively and spiritually positive.”   I believe this exchange will absolutely benefit you in your walk with Jesus.
Today’s devotion is based on Ecclesiastes 7: 9—“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” 
Today, I want to encourage you to give up your anger and respond to all situations with a gentle spirit.  If you want a restful night, then release your anger before you go to bed as God’s Word directs, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
Please pray with me the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen; you know how easy it is for me to get angry.  It comes on me so fast that I often speak and do things without thinking that is harmful to others.  Help me to remember that I am to be a reflection of your love.  Forgive me for Jesus’ sake when I get angry.  For Jesus’ sake, please forgive me. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen.

​2-23-21
During Lent, I am going to share a daily thought with you about “something for you to give up that is spiritually unhealthy and to replace it with something that will be restoratively and spiritually positive.”   I believe this exchange will absolutely benefit you in your walk with Jesus.
Today’s devotion is based on Ephesians 4: 2—“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Impatience seems to be the norm for most people today.  Even though it seems harmless, impatience is a sin that hurts not only the person you are impatient with but yourself.  Today give up impatience and become more patient in all situations. For patience is a sign of spiritual maturity.
Please pray with me the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen; you know how easy it is for me to be impatient.  Without your help, I cannot be more patient with those who are not learning as fast, or are not working, driving, placing orders, and such, as I think they should.  Please help me to recognize when I am impatient so that I can change.  For Jesus’ sake, please forgive me when I am impatient. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen.

​2-22-21
During Lent, I am going to share a daily thought with you about “something for you to give up that is spiritually unhealthy and to replace it with something that will be restoratively and spiritually positive.”   I believe this exchange will absolutely benefit you in your walk with Jesus.
Today’s devotion is based on 1 Thessalonians 5: 11—“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
I admit that speaking words of encouragement, especially to those we think deserve what they are dealing with because of bad habits or decisions, does not come easily.  Today, give up words of discouragement and become an encourager; to others and, yes, maybe even to yourself. I say to yourself because it is almost impossible to encourage others if you are not encouraging yourself. 
Please pray with me the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen; you know how easy it is for me to speak words of discouragement to others, even when I don’t mean to speak words of discouragement.  Please help me to choose my words carefully so that what I say encourages instead of tears down.  Please forgive me, for Jesus’ sake, when I speak wrongly so that I better glorify you.  In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen.

​2-20-21
During Lent, I am going to share a daily thought with you about “something for you to give up that is spiritually unhealthy and to replace it with something that will be restoratively and spiritually positive.”   I believe this exchange will absolutely benefit you in your walk with Jesus.
Today’s devotion is based on Proverbs 11: 13—“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
I don’t think there is no one who gossips at one time or the other.  The sin of gossiping comes so easily because gossiping lessens the person you are talking about while elevating yourself.  At least, that is what we think it does, but in reality, it lessens you. Today, I want you to give up “gossip” in all its forms.  If you cannot speak well of a person, then say nothing at all.
Please pray with me the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen; you know how easy it is for me to take part in gossip.  Help me through your Word to not gossip.  Please help me to make amends when I have hurt someone by gossiping about them.  When I fail, turn me to repentance. Forgive me, as you remind me that it is only in your death that I am forgiven.  Help me only to use words that build others up and give you glory. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen.

​2-19-21
Continuing with the Lent idea of giving up something for Lent, today’s devotion is based on  James 3: 9-10—“With the tongue, we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
Today, I want you to give up the use of “bad words.” Any form of vulgarity, cursing, swearing, or any other use of obscene language needs to cease and from your daily vocabulary. Replace bad words with godly words or no words at all. For some of us, especially those of us who worked in the construction business, this might be harder to do. 
Please pray with me the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen; you know how easy it is for me to use ungodly words.  Remind me, Lord, of your forgiveness.  I did not deserve it, yet you forgave me and accepted me into your family. Help me only to use words that build others up and give you glory. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen.

​2-18-21
Today’s devotion is based on Ephesians 4: 30-32—“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
What struck me today in this passage is that I am grieving the Holy Spirit when I am holding onto any bitterness. Today, I want to encourage you to give up any “root of bitterness” you might have and replace it with a sweet spirit of contentment and joy.  If you are harboring any bitterness in your heart, release the reason for the bitterness to God and be set free to be the child of God, God wants you to be.
Please pray with me the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen; you know how easy it is to be bitter towards someone.  Remind me, Lord, of your forgiveness.  I did not deserve it, yet you forgave me and accepted me into your family.  For that, I give you praise and glory. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen.

2-17-21
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Season of Lent, which consists of the 40 days before Easter. During Lent, I am going to share a daily thought with you about “something for you to give up that is spiritually unhealthy and to replace it with something that will be restoratively and spiritually positive.” I believe this exchange will absolutely benefit you in your walk with Jesus.
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DAY 1

Today’s devotion is based on Matthew 6: 12; 14-15—“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors…For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Today, I challenge you to give up any unforgiveness that may be lodged in your heart against others or even yourself and replace it with forgiveness.  Forgiveness will break spiritual chains off your life and release you into the fullness of God’s peace.  My encouragement for us is to replace unforgiveness with forgiveness in our life so that we will better experience the love of Christ. 

Please pray with me the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen; you know how hard it is for me to forgive those who have hurt me or those I love.  Remind me, Lord, of your forgiveness.  I did not deserve it, yet you forgave me and accepted me into your family.  For that, I give you praise and glory.    In Jesus’ holy name, I pray.  Amen.